Monthly Archives: August 2011

First off dear readers, great apologies for the delay in this recap of the recent PDX Whisky tasting event held at Ian’s house on August 12th, 2011. Because of the delay in writing this post, it will be less detailed than prior posts, as my recollection is a bit muddied now. I promise in the future to be more vigilant in my note taking, and subsequent write ups.

I do have an extra special gift for you all, however… multi-media! Yes, a picture… in a post even! Will the wonders never cease?

Compass Box Magic Cask

Ah, dear friends, if you know me (Seamus/Jason) or the 3DC at all, you know our fondness for John Glaser and Compass Box whiskies. So this past PDX Whisky tasting was a real treat for me. No, not because Ian had some Great King St. to share, but because he had a bottle of Magic Cask; a bottle I should note is unavailable in the US, as it was only released to our Canadian neighbors. Any chance I have to taste something I can’t get is a privilege, especially so when it is from one of my favourite producers of the lovely water of life.

“The Magic Cask was a special release for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) and is only available in Ontario. Because John Glaser created this product as an experiment, he wasn’t quite sure what to do with it until the LCBO opportunity presented itself. Because Canadian whisky makers are allowed to use up to 9.09% flavouring (i.e. other whiskies like bourbon, wine, fruit juice, etc.), many don’t, but they can if they so choose, John thought this would be a good product for this limited Canadian release. “

In typical PDX Whisky style, we had four bottles to taste (though we had additional once the main 4 were sufficiently discussed). Notes on the four, in the order we tasted are below:

Tasting notes:

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Karuizawa, 15yr 40%

Nose: Hot, heavy sherry, moves into oak then immediately into a vanilla finish.

Flavour: Vanilla and Sherry into oak, then toast and corn.

Finish: mild toast with a distinctly corn finish.

Viscosity: 3

Boldness: 4

Length of Story: 3

Personal taste: C+

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Compass Box Magic Cask – 17yr Linkwood, 14yr Brora, 46%

Nose: Begins with a little brine then hits you with a mild heat, finally some green olive.

Flavour: Spicy, a bit watery but hot, almost like a cut oaked rye.

Finish: Hot finish here with oak and a floral hint to toast, with a touch of brine on the back.

Viscosity: 4

Boldness: 4

Length of Story: 4

Personal taste: B+

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Glenmorangie Finealta 46%

Nose: Iodine and brine

Flavour: Oak and toffee/caramel.

Finish: light green apple, but hot.

Viscosity: 3

Boldness: 4

Length of Story: 3

Personal taste: B-

(side notes: not worth the cost, forgettable)

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Glen Spey 21yr 50%

Nose: light brine followed by chlorine, green vegetation into thin rubber followed by banana

Flavour: Banana into oak, then brine

Finish: Hot, mashed green banana.

Viscosity: 3

Boldness: 4

Length of Story: 4

Personal taste: B+

(side note: need to revisit)

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Now, it should be noted that once we’d completed the ‘official’ tasting, is when things got a bit rowdy… my memory is a bit poor of the whole evening, but at one point, a bottle of “30 year old Chinese distillate” made its way out of the box and around the table. I will refer you to my wife’s tasting notes as she posted on Facebook: “Tasting notes – anise, bubblegum, Limburger cheese, stinky feet of an 11 year old girl. That shit was FOUL! http://t.co/KVqhUmi” followed by a clarification: “Chinese moonshine. 30 years old, apparently? J called it “challenging”. I worry about that boy.” And indeed it WAS challenging. Most/everyone at the table hated it; there was a permeating stink to it which makes me happy I didn’t spill any on me, but I wouldn’t classify it as bad per se, simply challenging. That said, I refused the bottle when I was told I was taking it home… so, you know, it was -very- challenging.